just because it's simple, doesn't mean it's easy.

Category Archives: outside

I wish I could say I promise more words later, but alas, that would make me a liar. So photos will have to do – and let’s be serious, that’s all anyone really wants to peruse on this here blog. Chris and I trekked to Jacksonville a few weeks back for a family wedding/anniversary/hang out with good people. Per usual, we went and hung out with this funky bunch and a few of our faves, the Riccis. I may adore them a little… or a lot.

Asher

Avery

Noah

Tanner

So, Ricci’s, ya’ll ready to head west so we can do this every day? 🙂

Judah, not pictured here, is the oldest. He had important business of school to tend to for such backyard shenaniganizing.

Way back in our college days, Chris and I discovered slack-lining while working at Outdoor Pursuits – we weren’t very coordinated then and I’m not sure that’s something that comes with age.

At least not after the age of three.

Back then, the line was set up using standard 1-inch webbing, tied as tightly around two trees as humanly possible. Nowadays companies are making the whole rig, easy to set up using a ratchet strap system. Muy bueno. And when you are a camp director there are perks – like pro-deals for such gizmos. Muy muy bueno.

Though the flailing arms may indicate otherwise, it’s quiet, um, centering. We’re doing good to make it past the big tree – and we both do seven times out of ten – but then we invite friends to play who smoke us with fancy turns at the end. She’s way more in touch with her inner hippie…

It’s hotter than the devil’s hiney in east Tennessee & we’ve started harvesting and clearing out the summer garden crops – cabbage, basil, carrots, garlic, tomatoes (lots & lots) – to save them from the scorching heat and hungry caterpillars.

We’re making way for the fall plantings – swiss chard, lettuce, kohlrabi, radishes, kale – that will be used to feed folks in our dining hall as well as the critters in our Nature Center. I’ve never planted fall crops before, we’ll see how it goes. I’m pretty jazzed about fall gardening – but not so excited to sit in the sun and put the seeds in the ground – whew! It’s worth the pay off in the end though, right?

At least I will have some company…

Praying Mantis - Who says gardening isn't a form of meditation & spirituality?

We might even let the chickens do their “thang” in the garden before planting the new stuff, but that requires vigilance, chicken tractors, maybe leashes… but it’s oh, so good for the dirt. Maybe – if I am feeling particularly adventurous…

These spontaneous adventures take me back to spending two weeks a summer in the mountains as a kid.

…collected “wittle wiver wocks” until my pockets were billowing over and my shorts were falling off…

…climbed hills that were far bigger than me…

…played in mud, to my mama’s chagrin, probably took more with me than I left…

…stomped through the creek, looking for the rock to make the biggest splash…

…posed for a bajillion (and one) photos to get the perfect family shot…

…learning how to use the “facilities” in the woods…

…turning over rocks and logs and being mesmerized by my findings…

…and exploring it all with people I love.

It’s crazy to think how far back these memories take me. And even crazier to be making fresh ones in similar backdrops with our little fella. I hope a million years from now he will splash and get muddy with his little ones, but that will have to wait – his heart belongs to his mama until at least 35.

Noah loves lovesloves his four-legged friend – he shares his snacks with her, blesses her when she sneezes, tells folks to “shh” when she’s napping, helps her wear hats and other accessories. And she, in turn, gladly accommodates all of Noah’s jungle gym/stepladder needs – and never moves a muscle.